Abstract:
Purpose – To empirically study the direct and mediating relationships between blockchain technology adoption
strategy (BCTAS), electronic supply chain management diffusion (eSCMD), entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and
human resources information system (HRIS) in Egyptian banks. This paper aims to connect the dots and show the
relationships linking these related constructs after the emergence of this breakthrough blockchain technology.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors have undertaken a thematic review of relevant
multidisciplinary business management literature and then developed a conceptual model. This model was
examined through adopting a mixed-methods approach, through which 300 quantitative questionnaires were
filled by information technology (IT) staff at 12 banks in Egypt utilising a snowball sample. Besides, 20
qualitative interviews were carried out with international and Egyptian blockchain experts for exploratory and
explanatory purposes. The suggested hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling.
Findings – The results revealed that EO affects positively and significantly BCTAS and HRIS. BCTAS affects
positively and significantly both HRIS and eSCMD. Concerning the linkage between external/supply chain and
internal/organisational information diffusion, HRIS has a positive and significant effect on eSCMD. The direct
EO–eSCMD relationship is not supported. Yet, indirectly, BCTAS mediates significantly EO–eSCMD and EO–
HRIS relationships. Further, HRIS mediates significantly the indirect BCTAS–eSCMD relationship.
Practical implications – The findings of this research shed light on the benefits and challenges of adopting
BCTAS within emerging markets in general and Egyptian banking in specific, which can support an effective
and efficient decision-making process undertaken by strategic and functional banking managers with EO in
similar emerging economies.
Originality/value – Conceptually and empirically, it is the first article that investigated direct and mediating
EO–BCTAS–HRIS–eSCMD relationships in a promising banking industry of an emerging market. It solved an
interdisciplinary research puzzle by piecing together the relevant contemporary literature on production,
operations and SC management, entrepreneurship, HR management and strategic technology adoption.
